Adjustable back and head rest for furiniture



w. GINSBERG 2,796,919

ADJUSTABLE BACK AND HEAD REST FOR FURNITURE June 25, 1957 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 GINSBERG IN V EN TOR.

. WILLIAM ADJUSTABLE BACK AND HEAD REST FOR FURYITURE William Ginsberg, New York, N. Y.

Application January 11, 1954, Serial No. 403,238

2 Claims. (Cl. 155156) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in chair, couch and similar furniture construction.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved revolvable and self adjusting back and arm rest member for a piece of furniture such as a chair, couch or the like which member will automatically be adjusted and held in a comfortable position by the body of a person resting thereon.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the rest member so that it is adaptable for use either at the back of a chair or at one or both ends of a couch or sofa.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the rest member so that it can be pivotally mounted on a piece of furniture conveniently and easily for ready disposal of any of its resting surfaces in position for resting thereon.

As a further object, the present invention proposes arranging the rest member with an off center mounting so that it can move with body contact instantly into one of a number of comfortable resting positions.

The present invention further proposes a novel arrangement of means for pivotally mounting the rest member on a piece of furniture.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a chair with a rest member constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention and with a second position of the mem ber indicated in dot-dash outline.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l but showing only the rest member supporting structure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a couch with a rest member for end disposal and similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the res-t member and shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating another modification of the present invention.

The head and body rest member, in accordance with the first form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2. and 3, is shown pivotally mounted on a chair 15.

Chair has a bottom cushion 16 and arms 17 and 18 which are connected to a pair of spaced supports 19 and 20, the lower ends of which serve as rear legs of the chair.

'A shaft 21 extends between the spaced supports 19 and 20, the supports having openings 22 freely to receive rounded ends 23 and 24 of the shaft 21. Screws 25 hold plates 26 having shaft bearing 27 to the supports 19 and 26. The shaft is freely rotatable on the plates 26. The

nited States Patent 2,796,919 Patented June 25, 1957 plates 26 preferably are of metal. The shaft 21 has turned doWnportions 28 which fit in the bearing openings 27 in plates 26. In this manner, the shaft'is held properly disposed between the supports 19 and 20.

Mounted oif' center on the shaft 21 is the rest member 30 which has a central core 31 over which is formed a cushioned portion 32, preferably made of foam rubber or the like and which can be covered or not as desired. In this way, the member 30 is pivotally secured to the chair 15. 1

Member 30 has :a top 33, a bottom 34, two sides 35 and 36 and two ends 37 and 38. The top 33, bottom 34 and sides 35 and 36 may be, but preferably are not all adapted for resting the head or body thereon.

Top 33 is of a difierent width than bottom 34 and sides 35 and 36 slope between the top and bottom so that the upper portion of the sides are of different contour or conformation than the lower portion of the sides.

The member 30 is disposed on the shaft 21 so that it is freely movable by the body of a person resting against it into whatever position the person wishes. The top or bottom alternatively and selectively may be held in upright position for resting thereon. When the top 33 is upright a different back support is provided on the chair than when bottom 34 is upright.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 land 5 is characterized by the provision of a rest member 39 which is mounted at the ends of a couch 39 on supports 40 (only one end of the couch being shown since both ends are identically constructed and arranged).

Rest member 39 has a core 41 with foam rubber disposed around it. The core 41 :has a round shaft opening 42 with a sleeve 43 mounted therein. The member 39 is substantially triangular in cross-section with sides 44, 45 and 46 and ends 48 and 49. The member 39 is ice mounted on a shaft mounted in sleeve 43 and extending between the supports 40 and 40. Member 39 is spaced from the supports on the shaft, the shaft 50 extending through the ends 48 and 49 of member 39. The member 39 is thus freely and rotatably mounted on the shaft 50 so that any side of the member 39 can easily be disposed in position for resting thereon. The sides 44, 45 and 46 of member 37 are disposed at different :angles to afford a number of different resting surfaces.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 anddescribed .above except the rest member 51 is mounted between.

supports 52 and 53 of couch 54 with the member .51 movably abutting the supports.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In a piece of furniture for resting ones back thereon such as a chair, couch and the like, a revolvable and self adjusting back rest member, said member being substantially elliptical in cross section with one end along the ellipse major axis flattened for a b ack resting surface and the other end curved in elliptical form, said member having two back rest sides between said cross sectional ends, said curved sides forming the side peripheries of the cross section, a shaft extending through said two ends and disposed off center between said top and bottom, spaced shaft supporting plates secured to the piece of furniture, said shaft extending through said plates, means to hold the shaft in the plates, and supports for said plates disposed at the side of said piece of furniture and said 7 member being disposed on said shaft closely adjacent said supports.

2. In a piece of furniture for resting ones back thereon, spaced supports having opposed openingsgya shaft extending between said supports and into said openings, a triangular back rest member mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said member being substantially elliptical in cross section with one end along the ellipse major axis flattened for a back resting surface and the other end curved in elliptical form for an apex of the triangular member, said member having two back rest sides between said cross sectional ends curved and forming the side peripheries of the cross section, a central core in the member and a soft cushion surrounding saidcore, and

plateswith bearing openings secured to the inner surfaces 15 v of said supports, said shaft extending through said bearing plates and resting thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sargent Feb. 19, Conrad Aug. 21, Catlett May 10, Schneider Jan. 19, Smith Dec. 5, Lejuste Aug. 3, Bell Feb. 9,

FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Dec. 2, 

